Summary
Video can be so much more than just a presentation aid and a way to engage stakeholders; it can also be a means to explore, understand, and convey deep human truths. Through the lens of documentary filmmakers and visual ethnographers, film can be a powerful medium with which to capture context and emotion, and tell nuanced stories. In this fireside chat with three design researchers who have extensive experience working with video and documentary techniques, you will hear how they integrate documentary filmmaking approaches and methods into their research practices.
Key Insights
-
•
Video is increasingly integral to UX and design research, enhancing understanding and engagement.
-
•
The incorporation of material culture is vital in storytelling to reveal deeper insights about user experiences.
-
•
Interactive engagement in filming leads to richer narratives than traditional observational methods.
-
•
Collaboration with participants in producing videos fosters authenticity and enhances storytelling.
-
•
A multi-tier approach to deliverables allows for deeper audience engagement and better understanding of research findings.
-
•
Practitioners often underutilize video as a critical practice in research, despite its potential.
-
•
Auto-ethnography and participant-generated content provide unique perspectives that enrich the research process.
-
•
Contextualizing video insights in a way that resonates with stakeholders is key to ensuring their impact.
-
•
The shift from a 'fly on the wall' approach to more interactive methods reflects the need for empathy in research.
-
•
Tools like the Redux Video Board can enhance collaborative analysis and storytelling in design research.
Notable Quotes
"Video is not just a way to capture. It's a way to think about information."
"If ethnographic film is just observational, it's just a security camera and a bank."
"Documentary film has been part of my life for decades."
"You can't just observe. You need to also understand what's happening inside people's heads."
"The stories need to travel through the organization."
"It's about knowing what really moves people in their experiences."
"Good storytelling is crucial because if the stories are strong, they will travel easily."
"You can't really just go from your own experience when you're working with diverse users."
"Material culture reveals the deep cultural context behind actions and decisions."
"Working with participants in creating content is essential for maintaining authenticity."
More Videos
"We aim to support the public in exercising agency vis-à-vis the powers that traditionally govern public services."
Shanti Mathew Natalie Sims Natalia RadywylCivic Design at Scale: Introducing the Public Policy Layer Cake
December 9, 2021
"Innovators can listen to what is unsaid."
John MaedaMaking Sense of Enterprise UX
June 9, 2016
"We're running a special promotion on the tickets—a 24-hour flash sale for those on the call today."
Wendy Johansson Surya VankaDesign at Scale: Behind the Scenes
April 29, 2021
"I want to talk to you about are you really doing user-centered teamwork when you're thinking about growing a team."
Holly ColeUnderstanding Experiences: When you have to do more than work
November 8, 2018
"This new approach provided clear expectations for all stakeholders."
Patrick CommarfordDesign Staffing for Impact
January 8, 2024
"The primary customization for screen reader users is speed; many can listen at over 300 words per minute."
Sam ProulxSUS: A System Unusable for Twenty Percent of the Population
June 9, 2021
"Even in chaos, folks were looking at 2020 with renewed commitment and bravery."
Jemma AhmedTheme 2 Intro
March 10, 2022
"Physical therapists are wary of technology that might disrupt their hands-on approach."
Dane DeSutterKeeping the Body in Mind: What Gestures and Embodied Actions Tell You That Users May Not
March 26, 2024
"There is a danger in yielding responsibility to AI, as it could lead to a loss of human agency."
Cennydd Bowles Dan Rosenberg Lisa WelchmanDay 1 Panel
June 4, 2024
